My 50 Gallon with a home made stand

[mdl76]

Hi all! Just wanted to thank eveyone on this site for the great info and nice pics. here is a pic of my tank I just filled up tonight. I built the stand myself and I have a matching canopy in the garage that is still getting its finishing coat. I tested my water and I think is all good. PH = 7.25, kh = 6 GH = 8-9 ( if i recall the KH & GH correctly). Anyhow, Im going to add plants and fish when the time is right. I just need to read more to find out the right time! I may add more light and CO2 in the future but none for now. I will probably rearrange stuff when my girlfriend can give me some advice when she gets home.
Im suprised how clear the water is for only being filled about 3hrs from the time I took this pic.
I have a lot more to do/buy for this, its just the start
Anyhow, I just felt like posting it so thanks for looking!
--mike

[travis simonson]

That looks great Mike And welcome to AquariumAdvice! I like the finish on the woodwork, it really brought the grain out. I wish I could build a stand for my tanks without worrying that it would collapse as soon as I added water :P

I'm surprised at how clear your water is too. It's not often that you see it clear up that quickly after adding it in. It could be a sign of good things to come

[TwoHobbies]

Welcome:

Your stand looks great, I don't have the skill, and or tools to build that. Great job. That filter must be working good ( that water is clear)

You could add some plants right away if you would like to. I'd add prime or something like it to the water.

You're off to a great start, Have fun

[Meredith]

That is very nice! I love the color!

[rich311k]

Nice looking tank.

[Ryehard]

That stand is beautiful. I'm hoping to do that sometime in the future for a 75 gallon so now I have the perfect inspiration. Lets hope I have the skills as well . I can't wait to see more pics as the tank progresses!

[GodOSoot]

Doesn't Eco-Complete come with live bacteria in it, and wouldn't filling up with untreated tap water kill them?

[mdl76]

I did treat the water for chlorine and chloramine. I did some checks and all looks good but obviously my ammonia is 0 and the nitrite and nitrate is 0. I was running the filter for a week on a establised tank so I think the filter has the bacteria in it but now I need to add some ammonia. how much sure I add? 1tbs? and when I add this ill see the ammonia go up then as the bacteria gets going it will go back down I take it and the nitrate will go up? with eco-complete there is already bacteria that will ride of ammonia right?

rich311k
I read this in one thread
"I test for everything everyday when I am cycling. It probably is not necessary to run nitrates until you see nitrites. Try to keep your ammonia at 2 until you see nitrites then keep it a 1"

Lonewolfblue
"I generally only watch ammonia when I'm cycle. Then when it runs to 0ppm, I'll then watch both ammonia and nitrite. When both go to 0pp, in a day, I do a 50-75% pwc and add fish."

I know all I need to know is in these forums but its a bit hard to locate it all and piece it together

I only have a sponge and 2 stages of polyfiber in my fluval 304. should I be using fluval bio-max rings in the filter for more area for bacteria population? thanks for all the kind comments and feedback.

http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/bcycling.htm

this is a great article

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

Yeah, I'd use the biomax rings, or some other biological media (the rings came with it right?)

In my 304 I run Sponge -> Floss(bottom chambers) -> Seachem Matrix(biorings of a different flavour) -> Floss in the top chambers. and it seems to effectively remove just about everything that goes in.

I love what you've done with the driftwood, it makes some very neat levels of gravel.

I would plant the tank, then slowly add fish, plants consume ammonia directly FYI. if you get enough for your bioload, it's instant cycle (different kind of cycle that doesn't depend on bacteria)..

[mdl76]

Originally Posted by Wizzard~Of~Ozz

Yeah, I'd use the biomax rings, or some other biological media (the rings came with it right?)

In my 304 I run Sponge -> Floss(bottom chambers) -> Seachem Matrix(biorings of a different flavour) -> Floss in the top chambers. and it seems to effectively remove just about everything that goes in.

I love what you've done with the driftwood, it makes some very neat levels of gravel.

I would plant the tank, then slowly add fish, plants consume ammonia directly FYI. if you get enough for your bioload, it's instant cycle (different kind of cycle that doesn't depend on bacteria)..

yah, im going to be getting plants real soon. i just didnt know if the bio max would make it harder for the plants to get their nutrients.